Porto Palermo Festival Opens with Call to Protect the Sea and Environment
The sixth Porto Palermo Festival opened with the environmental awareness event “Preserving Our Sea 4”, putting marine protection and coastal clean-up at the centre of the festival. Violinist Olen Çezari organized the initiative with the support of the Municipality of Himarë. Himarë Mayor Vangjel Tavo joined the clean-up campaign. He …
Shala River Area to Connect with Tropoja as Road Project Site Prepares for Construction
The construction site for the Shalë–Tropojë road project is ready, marking an important step toward connecting the Dukagjin area with the Albanian Alps. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from the site and described the project as a strategic investment. The new road will connect Shala with Tropoja through Qafa …
EU Offers Up to €100,000 to Support Albania’s Wood Industry
The European Union has launched a new funding scheme to help Albanian wood-processing companies invest in innovative circular economy solutions. The Wood2Value scheme will support investments in technologies and production processes that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and increase competitiveness. The EU Delegation in Tirana said selected companies can receive …
Over 20,000 Applications Qualify for Albania’s 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme
Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) has qualified 20,636 applications under Measures 5–9 of the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after completing the initial administrative review. The scheme supports sustainable agriculture, higher production standards and inland fisheries. AZHBR approved 362 applications under Measure 5, which supports biological pest …
Rama Condemns Berlin Attack: “No Tolerance for Hate, Violence or Extremism”
Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his solidarity with Germany and the German people following the tragic incident at the Pride Parade in Berlin. In a statement on social media, Rama condemned the attack and said there can be no tolerance for hate, violence or extremism in any form. He stressed …
Koçiu: Albania Expands Protected Areas Network to Strengthen Environmental Protection
Albania has expanded its protected areas network and placed nearly one-quarter of its territory under national nature protection. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared a video showing the country’s environmental progress from 2013 to 2026. She highlighted stronger environmental laws, better management of protected areas and new initiatives to protect …
Balla: “Double Your Business” Programme Opens New Financing Opportunities for SMEs
The “Double Your Business” programme supports Albanian entrepreneurs and creates new financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, said Taulant Balla during a visit to the “Belba” winery in Kavajë. Balla visited the winery, which two brothers established after bringing their experience from Italy and combining it with Albania’s traditional …
PM presents ‘Besa’ strategy and comments on recent protests
TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented “Besa”, a document he described as the political and governing strategy for the government’s fourth term, during a joint meeting of the government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group. Rama said recent protests should serve as a moment of reflection rather …
Week in Review: A Fighting Spirit
From Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ to Turkey’s embattled opposition, BIRN’s premium selection of stories this week tell a fighting mood is visible across south-east Europe, despite the summer heat. Original post Here
Kosovo’s Trade Deficit Rises 16%, Exports Cover Only 15% of Imports
Kosovo’s trade deficit increased by 16.1% in June 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching €578.3 million. The deficit reflects the gap between the value of imports and exports. According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS), exports covered only 15% of imports. Kosovo exported goods …
TIRANA, August 3 – Emergency teams continue operations to extinguish a fire that broke out yesterday afternoon in Vilz village, in the Postriba administrative unit of Shkodër. The Shkodër Prefecture and the National Civil Protection Agency are coordinating the response. Local civil protection forces and the Shkodër Fire and Rescue …
TIRANA, August 3 – Italian news outlet Fanpage.it has ranked the Albanian Alps among the best-value mountain destinations for summer 2026. The report recommends Theth and Valbona Valley as ideal retreats for travelers seeking cooler temperatures during Italy’s Ferragosto holiday. According to Fanpage.it, Italy has experienced repeated heatwaves this summer, …
TIRANA, August 3 – Gjirokastër has launched “Iso mbi Kalldrëm” (Iso on the Cobblestones), a month-long cultural event that fills the city’s historic bazaar with the sounds of Albanian iso-polyphony. Gjirokastër Mayor Flamur Golemi shared scenes from the lively streets, where performances will take place every evening from August 1 …
TIRANA, August 3 – Five icons of outstanding historical and artistic value are undergoing restoration at the National Museum of Medieval Art in Korça. Conservation specialists are carrying out the work to preserve the artworks and extend their lifespan for future generations. The collection includes a 14th-century icon that experts …
TIRANA, August 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage on social media today showing the first Albanian-made military vehicles undergoing road tests after their delivery to the Albanian Armed Forces. Rama described the vehicles as a source of national pride. He said the vehicles meet North Atlantic Treaty Organization …
TIRANA, August 3 – Isa Elezi, a lahuta player from Rugova in Kosova, says the traditional instrument has long inspired Albanian warriors and preserved the nation’s history. Elezi describes the lahuta as more than a musical instrument. He says it carries centuries of values and traditions. According to him, its …
TIRANA, August 3 – This week could bring progress in talks on forming Kosova’s new institutions. The discussions involve the Self-Determination Movement (Vetëvendosje), which won the June 7 elections, and the opposition Democratic League of Kosova (LDK). Meanwhile, caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said he expects results from talks with …
TIRANA, August 3 – Albania marks the anniversary of the birth of poet and patriot Filip Shiroka, one of the leading literary voices of the Albanian National Awakening whose work championed national identity and independence. Born in Shkodra on August 3, 1859, Shiroka devoted his poetry and journalism to patriotism. …
TIRANA, August 3 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met elite athletes serving in Albania’s Armed Forces to present a new initiative that will introduce sports classes as an extracurricular program at the Armed Forces Academy. Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, also attended the meeting. Participants discussed …
TIRANA, August 3 – Albania’s Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) weakened in July after business confidence declined across all sectors, especially construction and trade. Meanwhile, consumer confidence improved. According to the Bank of Albania, the index remained 5.4 points above its long-term average despite the monthly decline. Confidence in industry fell …